Why Understanding Cultural Differences Isn't Enough (And What Actually Works)

In the late 1990s, while pursuing my PhD at Harvard, I found myself straddling two worlds. By day, I was immersed in academic theories about culture and cultural differences. By night, I worked at an immigrant resettlement agency in Boston, witnessing firsthand the real challenges people faced when navigating cultural transitions.

This unique vantage point revealed a crucial gap between theory and practice. The academic literature extensively covered cultural differences and their importance, but something was missing. The immigrants I worked with didn't just need to understand these differences intellectually—they needed practical skills to adapt their behavior to new cultural contexts while maintaining their sense of authenticity.

This realization sparked years of research into what I would later term "cross-cultural code-switching." I began publishing academic papers on the concept, exploring how people could successfully adjust their behavior across cultural boundaries while staying true to themselves. The research resonated within academic circles, but I felt it needed to reach a broader audience.

Enter Richard Hackman, my PhD advisor, whose encouragement proved instrumental. His belief in the practical value of this work inspired me to write Global Dexterity, published in 2013. The book translated complex academic concepts into accessible frameworks that people could apply in their daily lives.

The book struck a chord with readers worldwide who were grappling with cultural adaptation in their professional lives. They weren't just looking for cultural awareness—they needed practical tools to step outside their cultural comfort zones, succeed in job interviews, thrive in their careers, and build meaningful professional relationships across cultural boundaries.

As I continued researching and writing about culture, I also worked directly with individuals and organizations, helping them apply these concepts in real-world situations. The impact was tangible: people were securing jobs, advancing in their careers, and building successful international businesses by developing their global dexterity.

In 2019, a new chapter began. Together with two extraordinary practitioners —Melissa Hahn and Kinga Bialek—we created the Global Dexterity certification program. Our vision was to empower coaches, trainers, teachers, and consultants with tools to help others navigate cultural transitions successfully.

The program has since certified over 75 practitioners worldwide, creating a growing community of professionals equipped to help others develop their global dexterity. These certified practitioners are now making a difference in organizations, educational institutions, and communities across the globe, helping people bridge cultural divides while maintaining their authentic selves.

Soon, we'll be opening our doors once again to welcome a new cohort of practitioners into our certification program. If you're passionate about helping others navigate cultural transitions successfully, we invite you to join our global community of certified Global Dexterity practitioners.

On February 27th, we're having a free informational webinar for you to learn more about the program. You can sign up for that here.

If you know you'd like to do the certification and want to be notified as soon as we announce the next cohort dates, you can sign up here.

Best wishes,

Andy